HijamaPlus Clinic now open in Small Health, Birmingham England

HijamaPlus Clinic now open in Small Health, Birmingham England by Faridah Elimy

The following is a guest blog-post in the form of a written interview by Faridah Elimy, a female cupping therapist from Birmingham, England.

Please give us a short introduction about yourself, and in particular how you ended up being a hijama therapist?

Assalaam alikum.

Since I was about 17 years old I had a keen interest in everything to do with complementary medicine. My father was a pharmacologist (developer of pharmaceutical drugs) ; I tried to look at the other side and become more and more enthusiastic about natural medicine.

Then it became my dream to serve humanity and after I became Muslim to serve the Muslim Ummah in improving their health. Better health to me also means better quality of ‘ibadah.

During the last 30 years I built up a large library about nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle, complementary medicine in general and specifically shiatsu, acupressure, kinesiology and related subjects. Because this is my passion I am continuously updating my knowledge.

I came to the UK five years ago from the Netherlands looking for a more positive Islamic environment.

When I discovered hijama I drew the conclusion that us Muslims have the best of all worlds; we just have to utilise it to our benefit.

So I decided to become a qualified hijama therapist. Initially I worked from home, but sisters were asking me to open a venue, so I opened a hijama place in Small Heath in Birmingham end of December 2010.

ElhamduliLlaH I get very positive feedback from sisters.

What particular illnesses/ conditions (if any), do you specialise / had the most experience in?

I find that the so-called sunnah hijama spot on the back of the neck is a very potent preventative and curative point.

A lot of ladies come to me with back problems, headache and period related symptoms. Also emotional problems and depression respond well to hijama.

– And do you find that in your experience, the conditions/illnesses thatyou have come across respond well to cupping (hijama) therapy? And if so, what are they?As a treatment it can alleviate most health problems. Also medication is better absorbed in combination with hijama, which in most cases will lower its requirement. At the same time hijama can help with side effects of medication as a detox. People have to be patient though: generally the longer a condition has existed and the more complex it is, the longer it will take to reverse it. That means more than one treatment; generally at least three or even more and then maintenance treatments that can be less frequent.

I also work in combination with electro-acupunture and SCENAR therapy. Some ladies don’t want or can’t have hijama on their head. In that case I use electro- acupuncture on the head. SCENAR is the most revolutionary biofeedback technology that shows good results in pain relief. Compared to other pain relief therapies and conventional pain relief medication it is very effective and quick in giving lasting results. The fresher the pain, the quicker the result. For sufferers of chronic pain it can take some time to see the desired result. It works with biofeedback frequencies.

– Do you have any interesting case-studies that you can briefly share with us from your hijama treatments?Once a lady came for a certain complaint. I only treated the neck point. When I called her for feedback she said that the bleeding that she had had for weeks from her uterus after removing a contraceptive implant from her arm had stopped the day after her hijama treatment. Great result!!! And she hadn’t even come for that reason.

On the basis of this experience I think it could be worthwhile to investigate if bleeding after a miscarriage can be shortened by applying one cup to the neck. One would of course have to take into consideration the fact that the bleeding itself already weakens the lady in question. So would have to make sure if she is not anemic. Generally excessive bleeding from the uterus can be reduced by applying dry cups under the breasts.

– Also what would you say about using cupping as a general preventative therapy and how often would you recommend this (once a month? once/twice a year?)As a preventative I think hijama is the most appropriate therapy. I would even emphasise its prophylactic possibilities and highly recommend it for this reason at the changing of the seasons around 4 times a year, but some people prefer to do it every month (like the Sahaba).

As a hijama therapist, how often do you get hijama done yourself, and what for (if any specific condition) and who do you go to to get it done (since it is not an easy therapy to self-administer)?

Last year I had it done six months in a row for various health problems like an arthritic condition, hot flushes and headaches.

– What is the overall prevalance of hijama therapy in Birmigham and the West Midlands? Is it available in hospitals and clinics as a valid alternative / sunnah therapy?

I have not come across any information about availability in hospitals or the NHS. A sister was telling me there are endeavours to introduce it in the NHS. If anyone has any reliable info about this, please let me know.

Most sisters I know about that practise in Birmingham are not qualified hijama therapists and I must say that sadly some sisters that come to me have a negative experience with hijama administered by an unqualified therapist.

I am an insured therapist and member of the CMA (Complementary Medical Association) and ICS (International Cupping Society).

– Is there anything else you would like to add?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the benefits of hijama?

It is a sunnah and as such recommended to have it done at least once in a lifetime.Research is available to show hijama is an excellent treatment for maintaining good health and preventing illness.

I am very sensitive; is hijama painful?

The procedure starts by pulling up part of the skin under a cup. By leaving the cup on for 3-5 minutes the skin under the cup becomes numb. When the treatment is carried out it feels like little pinpricks.

Do I have to see blood? The treatment is generally done on the back of the body, which means any blood is out of sight!

Do you offer an alternative for wet hijama ?Yes, if for any reason you can’t or don’t want to have wet hijama done, I can treat you with dry hijama, SCENAR and/or electro acupuncture. All therapies give good results. But wet hijama is overall the most effective treatment.

– Whereabouts is your clinic or practice located and what services do you offer?

Hijamaplus33, St. Oswalds roadSmall Heath Birmingham B10 9RB

email hijamaplus@hotmail.comor text/call 07877065797 with your preferred appointment date and time and I will get back to you.

Comments: 34

It's really highly appreciable and inspiring that your keen interest in the treatment of most sophisticated method of islamic science. ALHIJAMA so glad to here about that in the west part of the world a muslim lady effort to promote ALHIJAMA your dedication enthusiasm and your passion is really encouraging. Apart of your ALHIJAMA practitioner before this I must say that you have great strength of Emaan in sunnah please maintain it keep continue to research about this great missing therapy of muslim ummah which is beneficial for human being of this world . let me introduce my self I m Syed Ayaz Azam I m the practitioner of ALHIJAMA since three years with good out come. Inshallah l will share with you my lady patient of breast cancer of stage 5 what result will come after cupping therapy (ALHIJAMA) SEVERAL SESSIONS VERY SOON. Right now i m sending you my email Add. generousmodest@gmail.com

I have had hijama done with HijamaPlus on a few occasions. The first time I had it done I immediately felt more energetic. This increase in energy lasted for a few months. My health generally seemed much better and I found I was no longer lethargic. I have also had hijama for aching legs and found it stopped the aching for a few months. I would recommend hijama to anyone who has poor health and those in good health as it is an excellent remedy for many conditions. It is reviving a sunnah as well.

I would like to let you know that I first heard about hijama from a friend to whom I complained about the persistent pain and numbness I suffered in my right hand and arm. This pain was so bad that I frequently had sleepless nights; in fact I would have to get up, take painkillers and walk about until the pain eased off. I read up on hijama and decided to try it with HijamaPlus. At my first appointment I was very nervous as I’m scared of needles/injections, but to my amazement there was NO pain, no discomfort at all. Best of all, I had good nights sleep as virtually all pain had disappeared. I’ve had my 2nd treatment and looking forward to the next session so that insha Allah I’m cured of this pain. ElhamduliLlah I feel so much better after my sessions, I want other family members to try it too, esp. those who suffer from pain from arthritis in the knees. JazakAllah for giving your time in carrying out this sunnah.

I had had enough of going back and forth from doctors. I wanted something done that would not have side effects. I read a hadith Narrated by Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam)said: “There is no disease that Allah has sent down except that He also has sent down its treatment.” [The Book of Medicine: Sahih Bukhari] I pondered over this Hadith and thought what would the prophet (saw) do if he was here.I prayed to Allah to guide me to what was good for me, and my families health, and Subhanallah! with a little patience and faith a sisters circle i had attended had an Hijama consultant telling us all about Hijama, its benefits, and most importantly for me was that it was a sunnah. I booked an appointment with HijamaPlus a little while after.

After treatment I was told that I may feel cold and may need to rest. Normally with an underactive thyroid I would feel utterly drained by 4-5pm. I went home thinking I’m going to totally crash out, but to my suprise I did not feel tired or lethargic…..in fact I was buzzing with energy. I did not sleep till after midnight I felt totally cleansed of clogging toxins. I was able to do more in the day than I was able to do in a long time, Alhamdullilah! It has been 5 months since I had Hijama and I recommend all to have Hijama twice a year ……..call it a body M .O. T. if you like.

I must mention the added bonus to having Hijama is that I have been sent most valuable links and websites to all sorts of fascinating eye opening facts about health, religion and much more. This has contributed to help me to become more aware, making decisions…. and changes to my lifestyle for the better. Jzk sister Faridah, may ALLAH BLESS YOU, and the service you are providing Ameen.

AlhamdoliLlah my headaches which were so frequent and extremely painful have significantly reduced by 90% ! 3 months after the cupping was done I noticed the red patches on my face and some bruises from post surgery which I had 8 years ago on my legs FADE! I used to use a concealer to cover the redness on my face, now I do not. My lower back does not ache as it did before.

After one treatment with HijamaPlus, my knee pain has gone and after a few more varicose veins have reduced dramatically alhamdulillah. Great service and would definitely recommend others. jazakillah khairun.

The benefits I had from hijama therapy ( I had 9 cups)with HijamaPlus: it helped me with my eczema problems, I also had kidney problems. It helped me a lot, as now I don’t have any pains. It also helped with my period problems. All this after the first treatment I had about a year ago. My age is 18.

AlhamduliLlah having hijamah therapy with HijamaPlus has benefitted me after years of treatment for problems with my menstrual cycle and no real effects. After having two hijama treatments almost a year ago I experienced the benefit straightaway. My periods had been unpredictable, but have become regular.I recommend everyone to give hijama a try.

I have been having Hijama regularly for over a year now for a variety of ailments, including eczema, migraines and also weight loss. I have seen a drastic improvement in my overall health and wellbeing. Sister Faridah of HijamaPlus offers a very cost effective and professional service Masha'Allah. She is not only experienced in Hijama, but has a wealth of knowledge in dealing with allergies. I highly recommend Hijama to everyone, especially those who have seen no real improvement with traditional medicine. It can help you physically and spiritually and most importantly it is a Sunnah.

I am very happy with the hijama therapy I received from HijamaPlus. I feel much better like the arthritis in my neck is fine, the pins and needles and cicrulation in my hand is much better. I was told by hospital I should have operation, but hijama has been very good and it is sunna and no side effects. I have already given your telephone no to a few people. I would recommend hijama therapy to everyone; it is safe and no side effects, it has worked wonders for me!The service was very good, really appreciate the service given, JAZAKALLAH

Masha'Allah it's a blessing to have such a service from HijamaPlus on our doorstep alhamduliLlah. The service is clean, professional and excellent value for money. I love the fact that the sister recites du'as as she carries out the procedure. I felt really refreshed after having hijama and will definitely be returning insha'Allah, for my own health and to revive this forgotten Sunnah. Jazak Allah khair

I was very nervous first time around. AlhamduliLlah such a wonderful sister from HijamaPlus made the experience very relaxed and made me feel at ease and comfortable. Masha Allah the sister is very knowledgeable and every time you go she will always give you leaflets and info regarding various health matters which is a wonderful little extra to have….I have been back to the sister ever since and recommend to others as the sister is also very professional. JazakAllah khayr for the wonderful service you provide!

I was initially pleased with the first hijama I had done with HijamaPlus, but did not notice any benefits although I hope there were some!!(the benefits of hijama therapy may not always be felt directly, especially in people that are generally healthy, but the detoxification process will always take its course so hijama works as a preventative treatment. That’s why it’s recommended to have it once in a season to derive these benefits as an investment in good long-term health) I wasn't happy with the amount of blood withdrawn from my back,which was just drops.I was hoping for at least a small cup of blood to be withdrawn, but never spoke to Faridah regarding this .I'm sure she would have had an explanation as she surely knows what she's doing mashAllah!! (Indeed, there's an explanation for the amount of blood drawn: as the toxins are stored in the capillaries just under the surface of the skin, the amount of blood drawn is not important when the procedure is done right. People have different 'liquidity' of blood, meaning that some people’s blood will flow more and others' will be more viscous, even it can vary from day to day. That's why there can be a difference from person to person in the amount of blood drawn even if the procedure is carried out in exactly the same way….We're after the toxins; not after the blood, so the amount of blood is not at all indicative of the success of the treatment) The service was good mashAllah and Faridah gave me more information on health benefits and still emails me with so many health articles! She is a lovely lady mashAllah. I would recommend this service to others.

I have been having cupping treatments with HijamaPlus for a few months and it has helped me with my depression and anxiety, after suffering Cushing’s disease and a removal of a benign tumour, I feel that the cupping has given me a release of energy and a breath of fresh air. I would recommend cupping to anyone who is experiencing any forms of ill health; it gives you inspiration and hope to come through difficulties in your life, because I believe our health is our wealth.

The cupping consultant is highly trained and she is full of knowledge, MashAllah in prayers and in blessings, she always gives time, hope and aspirations to her clients which helps those that are fearful to try cupping. I would recommend this form of therapy to all faint hearted people as it is a blessed form of treatment as our beloved prophet pbuh highly recommended it! I wish The Hijamaplus team success and prosperity in their dedication and devotion to health for all. May Allah swt shower his mercy and grace upon you all.

I would like to tell anyone considering Hijama, that it is very beneficial and easily affordable. The sister from HijamaPlus gives excellent service and advice. My Asthma improved by at least 80% after treatment.I would like to say Jazakillakhairan to sister Faridah for her help.

I had my Hijama last year with HijamaPlus I didn't know what it involved until i read upon it. After the procedure i felt good, very light, i would recommend this to all as its the sunnah and you also have many health benefits. I have recommended this to sisters who have had health concerns and it’s a cure to may health problems. Sisters try it, it’s painless, hygienic and sister Faridah is very professional. Jazakallah

I undertook hijama treatment with HIjamaPlus for my insomnia and skin problems.AlhamduliLlah after the first treatment my sleeping pattern changed for the better and has continued to remain that way with follow up appointments.

I've been having regular Hijamah sessions with sister Faridah of HijamaPlus for almost a year to ease my chronic back pain. AlhamduliLlah after a few sessions of hijamah my back pain was almost gone. Sister Faridah has a very relaxed yet professional approach. She made me feel very comfortable during the process and gave me excellent advise on physical and spiritual health. I would highly recommend all sisters to try at least one session and feel the benefits.

AlhamdoliLlah, I’ m very pleased with the treatment I got from HijamaPlus and I can also say on my family member's behalf that they found it good too. I have and will always recommend it to my family and friends insha Allah. The therapy worked on me both mentally and physically. I felt more energetic and happy. The service given by sister Faridah was absolutely superb. Not only for hijamah, but also giving advice and information leaflets on other related issues. She has a variety of other product and information to help the therapy work more efficiently. I found the environment professional and friendly. The atmosphere is very relaxing and not the least the nice treat of juice and dates after the treatment. I will give treatment 10 out 10. JazakAllaho khairan.

The service I received from HijamaPlus was a professional and honest service from the start and still being offered advice on my eczema free of charge months after my initial treatment. Would definitely recommend.

Salaam … I have benefited from the Hijama greatly. I had a problem with rheumatoid arthritis for many years now. I take a combination of pain killers and disease modifying drug. Since having the Hijama done with HijamaPlus I have stopped using pain killers altogether which is a huge relief within itself. I remember feeling very scared and nervous about the treatment to start with. However, Faridah was great as she explained everything thoroughly so I knew exactly what she was doing the whole time which made me feel at ease. Even if you do not use the Hijama to tackle a specific problem it is a great stress reliever. Once you have had the treatment you feel so calm and relaxed I would highly recommend the Hijama to anyone." JZK

At first I was a bit apprehensive about having hijama done, but finally plucked up the courage to go. Masha'Allah the sister from HijamaPlus explained everything to me first and put me to ease straight away. The actual treatment was very relaxing and I really like the fact the sister recites duas as she is doing the treatment. Would definitely recommend HijamaPlus to everyone. I go once a month now as I feel so refreshed after my treatment. Jazak Allah Khair

The hijama helped me to detox & gain some perspective in my life. After the hijama I experienced many feelings I have not experienced before & began to make sense of the world. The aftercare provided by Faridah is tremendously helpful & I have already referred her to a few of my family, friends & colleagues. If you are in doubt I would recommend that you have a conversation with Faridah & then decide. JzkAllah

Hijamaplus provides a professional and hygienic service that values client confidentiality. Faridah's service is particularly useful as it embraces a holistic approach to the clients' needs, providing additional advice and further self help measures beyond the actual cupping treatment sessions.

I have had hijama done twice from HijamaPlus and I must say it has been great. I was nervous at first, but the sister explained everything to me about the process and what to do after. The hijama has made a difference in my overall health. I used to have back problems which I don’t anymore and also it worked wonders for my complexion. The sister is very knowledgeable about many conditions and I have benefited from her advice many times. I would highly recommend her to others and I have already and they’re all were very happy with the outcome. Thanx sis and it's nice to know we have someone like you in our community.

I was suffering from excruciating back pains and abdominal cramps every time during my period.

I had hijama twice with HijamaPlus and felt better every time; after the third treatment all those nasty pains and cramps disappeared completely and I’ve been pain-free during my period now for over a year! I can’t thank you enough

I wanted to try hijamah years ago as I had read of it being a sunnah and all the health benefits , but it was being done by a brother. So I had to leave that option…Until Allah willed sister Faridah to start doing it for other sisters in Birmingham. I have been going now for many months as I do suffer with a lot of shoulder and neck pain. The cupping seems to really help mashallah and the sister is great,may Allah reward you sister.

Sister Faridah of HijamaPlus is such an amazing individual, she made me feel completely at ease. She took her time with me and was thorough in going through my consultation. I really felt so brilliant, alhamduliLlah after the session. Also almost 2 weeks after the session I contacted her and she got back to me straight away with advice and guidance. I have told friends and family about her who have also started their sessions and feel the same. Jazakalah khairun sister and may Allah SWT reward her highly for her beautiful work and being a beautiful person herself.

salaamwent to farida suffering frm serious pain n numbness in arm up arm n in neck. after having treatment. pain had gone. unbelievable! I was stunned at immediate relief. been gone nearly 6mths. alhamdulillah